Thousands of documents in the Epstein files were released by the Department of Justice in line with a legal deadline Friday afternoon – but not all materials were made public, prompting calls of a cover-up from Democrats.
Around 4 p.m. ET, the DoJ posted thousands of documents to its website. It appeared so many people were trying to access the documents at the same time the site required users to wait in a queue for access, and frequently crashed as attempts to open files were made.
The documents are part of government investigations into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019. He was accused of abusing women and girls for years in a sex trafficking ring.
Last month, President Donald Trump reluctantly signed a measure into law compelling the Department of Justice, FBI and U.S. Attorney’s offices to release the materials by December 19.
Hours before the deadline, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the DOJ would make only “several hundred thousand” pages available and release the rest over the coming weeks to ensure redactions properly protect survivors.
Democrats accused the president and other Trump administration officials of engaging in a cover-up and violating federal law.
Read MoreWhat could be left out of the Epstein files by AG Pam Bondi
New photos from Epstein estate published by Democrats ahead of deadline for files release
Epstein files latest: Key points
- Justice Department begins releasing files online
- Not all documents will be released today, deputy attorney general says
- Democrats are 'examining all legal options' to punish DOJ
- Why are the files being released now?
- In pics: Latest photos recovered from Epstein estate
Video of Epstein's jail cell included
21:23 , Ariana BaioSome of the documents are multimedia pieces the public has seen before - such as the video of Epstein’s jail cell that was released by the DoJ earlier this year.
The Justice Department also released transcripts of its interview with Ghislaine Maxwell earlier this year – something that is also already publicly available.
Files contain redacted photos and documents
21:19 , Ariana BaioThe giant trove of documents released contains a vast number of redacted documents and photos that were collected to be used during Epstein’s trial and used in Maxwell’s trial.
Datasets posted online contain pages and pages of scanned documents that are heavily redacted, including flight logs, and interview transcripts.
What is the DoJ allowed to redact from documents?
21:10 , Ariana Baio, Alex WoodwardThe Epstein Files Transparency Act directed the Justice Department to release everything it has — which could include recently unsealed grand jury documents and previously unreleased interviews — unless they “jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary.”
The measure also requires the release of documents related to Epstein’s death behind bars.
Attorney General Pam Bondi can redact or withhold documents that include “personally identifiable information” or medical files relating to victims, as well as any content that depicts child sexual abuse, according to the legislation.
Breaking: Trump’s Justice Department drops Epstein files on deadline day
21:10 , Alex WoodwardThousands of documents from investigations into Jeffrey Epstein have finally been released by Donald Trump’s administration after months of public pressure.
Read more here:
Trump’s Justice Department drops Epstein files on deadline day
Justice Department breaks documents into four categories
21:08 , Ariana BaioOn the Justice Department’s new special section for the Epstein files, it appears they’ve broken documents into four categories:
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
DisclosuresFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)
DOJ Disclosures, Including Disclosures Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405)
Court Records
Justice Department begins releasing files
21:02 , Ariana BaioThe Justice Department began releasing documents in the Epstein Files via a searchable website.
Epstein Files Transparency Act does not allow DoJ to redact names of government officials
20:57 , Ariana BaioAlthough Bondi is permitted to redact sensitive information in the Epstein files, it explicitly states that individuals, including government officials, cannot be withheld.
“No record shall be withheld, delayed, or redacted on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary,” the act states.
Trump refuses to take questions about Epstein files after announcement
20:45 , Ariana BaioPresident Donald Trump refused to answer any questions about the forthcoming Epstein files after ending a press conference Friday afternoon
Unclear when DoJ will release files - or how
20:26 , Ariana BaioDepartment of Justice officials confirmed they would release “several hundred thousand” pages of documents in the Epstein files, but it is unclear when or how they will be released.
The department has not issued guidance regarding how the public can find the Epstein files online – the Epstein Files Transparency Act does require the documents to be “searchable.”
Reports claimed the department was set to release the files at 3 p.m. ET, but there was no sight of them immediately.
Frustration in Justice Department as it races to make redactions: report
20:04 , Ariana BaioJustice Department staff who are tasked with redacting information in the Epstein files are reportedly growing frustrated with a lack of direction under the tight deadline, sources told CNN.
A significant number of redactions are necessary to protect the identity of survivors, national security interests and ongoing litigation.
Each attorney is spending time making time-consuming redactions among thousands of pages.
But lawyers are reportedly unsure if they have the proper understanding of how to make the most information available while conducting redactions, sources told CNN.
Newsom's office speculates Trump, Bondi and Kash are 'hiding' something
19:40 , Ariana BaioGovernor Gavin Newsom’s office speculated Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel are “hiding” something, after the Justice Department said it would not release them all Friday.
“WHAT ARE TRUMP, BONDI, AND KASH HIDING!!” Newsom’s office wrote.
“RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES”
WHAT ARE TRUMP, BONDI, AND KASH HIDING!!
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) December 19, 2025
RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES https://t.co/eEI1qAYpfc
DoJ rejects criticisms, says they are meeting dealing while protecting victims
19:33 , Ariana BaioA spokesperson for the Department of Justice Public Affairs rejected claims that the department was not meeting the congressionally imposed deadline to release the Epstein files, claiming it is being done while protecting victims.
“Ridiculous framing,” the spokesperson wrote on X in response to a Politico article.
“The DOJ is releasing a massive tranche of new documents that the Biden and Obama administrations refused to release,” it added.
“The story here: the Trump administration is providing levels of transparency that prior administrations never even contemplated. The initial deadline is being met as we work diligently to protect victims,” the spokesperson added.
Epstein was federally indicted in 2019 while Trump was president.
The government investigated Epstein in 2006, but prosecutors handed Epstein a sweetheart deal. Obama became president in 2008, but Epstein was facing several civil lawsuits at the time.
Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, also faced a federal trial in 2021 for child sex trafficking – meaning much of the documents likely could not be released until her trial and the appeals process were over.
Republicans on House Oversight Committee blast Dems for 'cherry-picking' and say Trump is cleared of wrongdoing
19:25 , Alex WoodwardRepublicans on the GOP-led House Oversight Committee blasted their Democratic colleagues Friday ahead of the DOJ’s release of investigative materials in its possession.
Republicans accused Democrats of repeatedly “cherry-picking” edited photos from Epstein’s estate “to try to score political points and create a hoax against President Trump.”
“They chase headlines at the expense of victims. They can NEVER be trusted to run serious investigations,” the group wrote.
In another post, the committee accused top Democrat Robert Garcia of failing to acknowledge that there is “NO evidence” against Trump.
“The smokescreen has been lifted, no one believes your lies,” they wrote.
Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing, but Democratic lawmakers have demanded a full public accounting to determine his connections to Epstein and an alleged wider network of powerful pedophiles.
🚨@RobertGarcia and Oversight Democrats cherry-picked Epstein Estate records and searched for a single word: “Trump.”
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) December 19, 2025
All while claiming to be seeking justice for Epstein’s survivors.
This was never about the survivors for Democrats. They’re using them to achieve their agenda. pic.twitter.com/kZbtd8qoyg
Will Ghislaine Maxwell's latest appeal complicate the Epstein files' release?
19:10 , Alex WoodwardGhislaine Maxwell asked a federal court in New York this week to set aside her sex trafficking conviction.
Maxwell — who filed the petition from prison while she serves a 20-year sentence for her role in a decade-long scheme to sexually exploit and abuse minor girls with Epstein — claims “substantial new evidence has emerged” that shows she did not receive a fair trial.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act does allow the DOJ to withhold documents that could jeopardize an active federal investigation.
A federal judge has already ordered that grand jury materials in her case be unsealed, but if the judge considers her motion, Maxwell’s long-shot request could complicate the release of those documents.
Ghislaine Maxwell asks court to set aside her conviction
Watch: Trump speaks from the White House as DOJ prepares to release Epstein files
18:50 , Alex WoodwardInside the Epstein files: All the documents already public ahead of government deadline
18:40 , Alex WoodwardThousands of documents in Epstein’s cases, and the probe against his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, have already been made public by government officials, law enforcement and federal courts.
The Department of Justice is expected to release “hundreds of thousands” more Friday. A person’s inclusion in documents or photographs does not indicate wrongdoing.
Here is what we know so far.
Inside the Epstein files: All the documents released so far
House Republican demands full release of Epstein files
18:30 , Alex WoodwardRep. Thomas Massie, among House Republicans who have pushed for the release of the Epstein files, posted a copy of the law compelling their release — and highlighted text saying that “all” materials must be released within 30 days of its passage.
“Release the files,” he wrote Friday morning.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 19, 2025
Schumer says Senate is working to determine what documents are being held
18:20 , Ariana BaioSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Friday afternoon Senate Democrats were working with lawyers and attorneys for Epstein’s victims to determine which documents were being held back.
“This just shows the Department of Justice, Donald Trump, and Pam Bondi are hellbent on hiding the truth,” Schumer said.
“Senate Democrats are working closely with attorneys for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and with outside legal experts to assess what documents are being withheld and what is being covered up by Pam Bondi,”
Schumer accused the administration of engaging in a “cover up.”
NY Times columnist who wrote ‘count me out’ Epstein story last month featured in latest Epstein photo dump
18:00 , Justin BaragonaNew York Times columnist David Brooks was featured in the latest tranche of photographs from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate – one month after Brooks wrote a column dismissing the obsession over the Epstein files.
In a series of photographs from an event with the deceased sexual predator, which were made public Thursday, Brooks could be seen smiling directly at the camera while having drinks and eating dinner with other guests.
Read more here:
NY Times columnist behind ‘count me out’ Epstein story featured in latest photo dump
Senate Democrat says DoJ is in ‘violation of the law’
17:30 , Ariana BaioSenator Ron Wyden, the ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, scolded the Department of Justice for not preparing to release the full contents of the Epstein files Friday, accusing them of violating the law passed last month.
“It is an insult to the intelligence of the American people when a lawyer for Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime wingman, claims the administration is blowing off this deadline out of concern for the privacy of Epstein’s victims,” Wyden said of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s announcement Friday morning.
Wyden said the administration had “plenty of time” to make necessary redactions because they began going through the files after the inauguration in January.
“The law Congress passed did not say ‘release some of the Epstein files’ or ‘release the files whenever it’s convenient for Donald Trump.’ Anything short of a full release today is a violation of the law and a continuation of this administration’s coverup on behalf of a bunch of pedophiles and sex traffickers,” Wyden added.
Wyden is also in the process of trying to compel the Treasury Department to turn over documents to Senate investigators who have been digging into Epstein’s financial network for several years.
House Oversight Democrats are 'examining all legal options'
17:23 , Ariana BaioDemocrats on the House Oversight Committee said Friday afternoon they are exploring legal options that would hold the Trump administration accountable for refusing to release the full volume of Epstein files in its possession at the mandated deadline.
"Donald Trump and the Department of Justice are now violating federal law as they continue covering up the facts and evidence about Jeffrey Epstein's decades-long, billion-dollar, international sex trafficking ring,” ranking members Rep. Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin wrote in a statement.
Joint statement by Ranking Members Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin on Trump Administration decision to defy Epstein Files Transparency Act. pic.twitter.com/s9y9UOTNuu
— Oversight Dems (@OversightDems) December 19, 2025
Watch: Todd Blanche says DoJ will release some Epstein files Friday to meet Congressionally-imposed deadline
17:00 , Ariana BaioRep. Ro Khanna calls on DoJ to offer 'clear timeline' for full release
16:42 , Ariana BaioRep. Ro Khanna, the sponsor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act said the Justice Department had to offer “a clear timeline for the full release “ of the files Friday.
Khanna’s comment was in response to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche revealing the department would not reveal all files in its possession in one day.
What does the Epstein Files Transparency Act say about the deadline?
16:21 , Ariana BaioThe Department of Justice does not plan to release all materials related to the government’s investigation into Epstein in its possession Friday, raising questions about whether it violates the Epstein Files Transparency Act mandate.
The act states, “Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this act,” the attorney general must make “all unclassified records, documents, communications and investigative materials” in the DoJ’s possession “publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format.
Understanding Trump and Epstein's relationship
16:00 , Alex WoodwardEpstein met Trump in the 1980s, around the time the president bought his Mar-a-Lago estate in 1985, when Epstein was also living in Palm Beach. Over at least two decades, a period that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles recently described as the men living as “young, single playboys,” the pair bonded over their sexual exploits and spoke several times a week throughout the 1990s before an apparent falling out in the 2000s.
In 2002, several years before Epstein was under investigation in Florida, Trump told New York magazine that he had known Epstein for 15 years, calling him a “terrific guy.”
But by the time Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell were indicted in separate federal sex trafficking cases, Trump had long distanced himself from his one-time friend.
“Well, I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him,” Trump said on July 9, 2019, one day after Epstein’s arrest. “I mean, people in Palm Beach knew him. He was a fixture in Palm Beach. I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I don’t think I’ve spoken to him for 15 years. I wasn’t a fan.”
Trump has maintained he cut his friendship with Epstein in the early 2000s after he discovered the financier “stole” staff from Mar-a-Lago. The president has said he knew nothing of Epstein’s crimes and has denounced Epstein’s criminal activities.
Not all documents will be released today, deputy attorney general says
15:35 , Ariana BaioBlanche indicated that not all materials in the Epstein files will be produced Friday and more documents will become publicly available in the coming weeks.
“I expect we’re going to release more documents over the next couple of weeks,” Blanche told Fox News Friday morning.
“So today, several hundred thousand, over the next couple of weeks, I expect several hundred thousand more.”
Blanche did not clarify whether the materials released Friday would be new. Earlier this year, the Justice Department released “Phase 1” of the Epstein files, which turned out to be mostly known information.
Blanche said more materials will come later because the Justice Department must take the time to redact information related to survivors.
Jeffrey Epstein’s island: What really happened there?
15:25 , Io DoddsThe guests to Epstein’s islands came from across the world and from the highest ranks of society: celebrities and scientists and members of royal families, touching down in a private jet and then boarding a helicopter to the island.
Its owner liked to call it “Little St Jeff”. The locals called it “Pedophile Island.”
But what is the truth about Little St James, the 75-acre private paradise in the U.S. Virgin Islands that billionaire sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein once called home?
Read more here:
What really happened on Jeffrey Epstein’s island?
Epstein files could be released around 3pm: report
15:00 , Ariana BaioThe Justice Department could release the Epstein files around 3 p.m. ET this afternoon, a person familiar with the situation told News Nation.
No department official has confirmed the timeline publicly.
Deputy attorney general confirms materials will be released today
14:40 , Ariana BaioTodd Blanche, the deputy attorney general in the Justice Department, confirmed Friday morning the department would release “several hundred thousand” documents related to the investigations into Epstein – meeting the Congressionally-imposed deadline.
Survivors express concern over Democrats releasing selective photos of Epstein
14:30 , Ariana BaioSeveral survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have privately expressed concern to Democratic lawmakers about their intermittent release of photos and documents from Epstein’s estate, saying it was distressing to see the selective publication of the material, sources told CNN.
In a video call to the Democratic Women’s Caucus, the survivors expressed their concerns about the cherry-picked photos.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have periodically released photos from Epstein’s estate that show Epstein with young women – though their faces are redacted.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury, who serves on the House Oversight Committee, told the survivors she would relay their concerns to the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Robert Garcia. Stansbury reportedly said she also was not pleased with how Garcia was handling the release of the photos.
Watch: Donald Trump says his photos with Jeffrey Epstein is 'no big deal'
14:12 , Ariana Baio‘There is zero chance we will get 100% of the documents’
13:30 , Joe SommerladThat is the pessimistic view of Eric O’Neill, a national security lawyer and former FBI counterintelligence operative, who told USA Today: “There is zero chance we will get 100 percent of the documents.
“The most interesting information is going to be not in what we see but in what we don’t see – and reading between the lines to try to understand why certain information was redacted.”
Todd Blanche on Fox: ‘I expect we're going to release several hundred thousand documents today’
13:13 , Joe SommerladThis was Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Fox and Friends this morning speaking to Lawrence Jones.
He appeared to be warning the network’s viewers that the files are likely to be heavily redacted.
Sixty-five percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of Epstein scandal, poll finds
13:05 , Joe SommerladA new Quinnipiac University survey published this week found, among many other things, that a big proportion of the public is unhappy with the president’s handling of the files this year, with just 26 percent expressing satisfaction with his performance on the issue.
Here’s much more on that poll, which also found that a majority believed Trump had exceeded the powers of his office.
Majority of voters say Trump is going too far with presidential power, poll finds
Newsom invokes Epstein to mock Trump over Kennedy Center rebrand
13:04 , Joe SommerladCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office mocked President Trump on social media by referencing the lewd birthday doodle the president has been accused of sending to the deceased sex offender.
After a White House-affiliated X account posted a new logo for the “Trump Kennedy Center,” Newsom’s office took the opportunity to revamp the logo to the image the president allegedly drew.
Rather than show the Kennedy Center building, Newsom’s office added the drawing, allegedly made by the president, of the outline of a naked woman. Trump has denied drawing the image.
https://t.co/4AbA2JxkCA pic.twitter.com/Tz3k1NHS75
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) December 18, 2025
‘Trump whisperer’ Laura Loomer dismisses Epstein files release
12:45 , Joe Sommerlad“I’m sure it’s going to be another big ‘get-Trump’ nothingburger,” MAGA influencer Loomer has said, according to Politico.
She warned earlier this year that the president needed to get on top of the scandal or it would “consume his presidency.”
Like Wiles, Loomer was criticial of Bondi, saying: “There’s no denying that binder-gate was a total fiasco and it was a big blunder that was really the first negative PR blunder for this administration thus far.”
She added that, whatever happens today, we have not heard the last of this scandal.
“I don’t think it’s going to put it to bed,” Loomer said. “Because there are people out there who are determined to use this as a way to get Trump. Remember, I said, this is the new Russia collusion hoax. They are going to use this messaging in the 2026 midterms and possibly into the 2028 presidential election.”
Susie Wiles confirms Trump is in the Epstein files: They were ‘young, single playboys together’
12:05 , Joe SommerladThe White House chief of staff was asked about Jeffrey Epstein by Chris Whipple as part of his new Vanity Fair profile of the “ice maiden,” which caused fireworks when it was published earlier this week.
“Whether he was an American CIA asset, a Mossad asset, whether all these rich, important men went to that nasty island and did unforgivable things to young girls,” Wiles said.
“I mean, I kind of knew it, but it’s never anything I paid a bit of attention to.”
The president “is in the file,” she told Whipple. “And we know he’s in the file. And he’s not in the file doing anything awful.”
She added that Trump flew on the deceased financier’s plane, nicknamed the “Lolita Express” and that his name appears on flight logs.
“They were, you know, sort of young, single, whatever – I know it’s a passé word but sort of young, single playboys together,” she said.
Brendan Rascius reports.
Trump’s chief of staff confirms Trump is in the Epstein files as she torches Bondi
Deadlines arrives 301 days on from Pam Bondi’s infamous Fox interview
11:48 , Joe SommerladThe AG told John Roberts on Fox News’s America Reports on February 21 this year that Jeffrey Epstein’s client list was “sitting on my desk right now to review,” only for the DOJ and FBI to put out a memo in early July in which they claimed that no such list existed after all.
The memo was intended to put an end to conspiracy theories and kill off the story, but backfired spectacularly, only stoking public interest and attracting fresh allegations of a Trump administration cover-up, leading ultimately to the near-unanimous passage of the Epstein Transparency Act through Congress.
Wiles addressed Bondi’s handling of the Epstein issue unfavorably in her Vanity Fair interviews, incidentally, saying the AG had “whiffed” by inviting MAGA influencers to Washington to present them with worthless dossiers.
“First she gave them binders full of nothingness,” Wiles is quoted as saying.
“And then she said that the witness list, or the client list, was on her desk. There is no client list, and it sure as hell wasn’t on her desk.”
Women claiming to be Epstein victims describe close friendship between dead financier and Trump
11:25 , Joe SommerladWhat was President Donald Trump’s relationship to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and what did he know about the crimes and allegations surrounding a man Trump once considered a “terrific guy?”
Alex Woodward has this look at some of the claims made about their relationship by women who say they were abused by Epstein.
Epstein’s alleged victims describe his friendship with Trump in new interviews
In pics: Trump, Clinton and Bannon pictured with Epstein
11:05 , Joe SommerladHere’s a look at some of the pictures the House Oversight Committee has released in recent weeks, subpoenaed from the Epstein estate, some of which feature the president while the likes of Bill Clinton, Woody Allen and Steve Bannon also appear.
None of those people has been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to the dead financier, but Trump, in particular, has faced persistent questions about his past friendship with Epstein, which the president has said ended around 2004.
‘I think it took too long’: Trump supporters on imminent release of the Epstein files
10:45 , Joe SommerladMAGA attendees of AmericaFest 2025, Turning Point USA’s first major event since the September killing of founder Charlie Kirk, have told the AFP they believe the president and his administration have delayed too long in releasing the files.
“I think it took too long,” Mike Costarell, 58, told the press agency.
“I think it’s important anybody that sexualises children should be accountable for their acts. And I don’t care what side of the political aisle or how rich they are.”
“I’m glad that it’s finally happening,” added Georgia student Gwyn Andrews.
“Kudos to Trump for finally getting it out. It scares some Republicans who voted for him to now know that he kind of changed his gears.
“But we’re glad that it’s back on track, and I hope that will bring a lot of transparency to the deep state and to DC.”
Jacob Ellison, a 24-year-old Texan, told the AFP: “I don’t expect it’ll be some earth shattering… but I believe that people will be on that list that people don’t assume.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there are Republicans and Democrats alike on that list when it is released.”
As for the president’s past friendship with Epstein, Ellison said: “They do say he’s close to people, but I don’t know.
“I like to believe that he’s a family man. He holds certain values, and so that’s what I’m shooting for.”
What has been released so far?
10:25 , Joe SommerladMost of the key information about Epstein and his crimes has been released through public disclosures in civil and criminal lawsuits as well as Freedom of Information Act requests from news organizations.
Police reports, state grand jury records, flight records, Epstein’s address book and interviews with Epstein’s employees have been public for years.
Much of the information people are familiar with was released during Maxwell’s 2021 federal sex trafficking trial, which led to her conviction on child sex trafficking and other offenses.
Earlier this year, the DOJ released footage from the Manhattan jail where Epstein died, though it was noticeably missing one minute from its timestamp. Officials attribute that to an error in the surveillance system.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have also recently released photos of Epstein’s estate on his private island and Epstein with some of his high-profile and powerful friends and associates, including Trump and former president Bill Clinton.
It should be stressed that a person’s appearance in the files or in images alongside Epstein does not imply wrongdoing.
Here’s Ariana Baio’s report on the Democrats’ recent release of images from Little St James.
New Epstein island images give ‘harrowing look behind closed doors’
What will be redacted?
10:05 , Joe SommerladUnder the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Attorney General Pam Bondi is permitted to redact information that could identify victims, their medical files, or be considered an invasion of personal privacy.
Bondi can also redact anything that depicts or contains sexual abuse materials, death or physical abuse or injury of another person, as well as any information that could jeopardize an ongoing federal investigation.
The Department of Justice is also permitted to redact information in the interest of national security or foreign policy.
What could be released today?
09:45 , Joe SommerladIt’s currently unclear what precisely we will see today, given that the government has vast discretion to redact certain information.
But it’s possible that the new information will provide more details about how investigators went after Epstein, and whether they considered other charges.
Epstein was under federal investigation twice, the first in Florida in 2006. But despite being indicted, the U.S. Attorney at the time, Alex Acosta, arranged a controversial agreement for the multimillionaire to plead guilty to two state charges, as well as a prison sentence and a requirement that he register as a sex offender, in exchange for the federal case to be dropped.
The second investigation led to a 2019 sex trafficking indictment in New York and Epstein’s arrest. However, he died in prison before he could face trial.
Judges in Florida and New York have approved the release of grand jury materials that were used to bring the two separate indictments against Epstein, as well as the one against Maxwell.
While the grand jury materials may contain some information, they represent only a fraction of the documents in the Justice Department’s possession.
However, the judge who approved the release of grand jury materials in Maxwell’s case warned that they would “learn next to nothing new” from the documents.
The judge said the materials do not identify perpetrators other than Epstein and Maxwell; do not discuss Epstein’s alleged clients; and don’t reveal any unknown methods of Epstein or Maxwell’s crimes. Nor do they reveal any other location where crimes occurred, the judge added.
Stephen Colbert predicts Epstein files will be ‘end of the road’ for Trump
09:25 , Joe Sommerlad“It’s Epstein Files Eve,” The Late Show host declared in his opening monologue last night. “Don’t forget to leave Santa some cookies. And a barf bag.”
“The DOJ specifically has to release ‘searchable and downloadable’ copies. And here’s the kicker: The law says records can’t be withheld, delayed, or redacted due to concerns about embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.”
Launching into a raspy Trump impression, Colbert joked, “OK, but what if – and hear me out here – what if this is the end of the road for you and you’ve wriggled out of everything else, but for some reason this is the one they won’t let go of, no matter how many East Wings you tear down?
“You can see the end is in sight, which is crazy because you’ve always believed that nothing bad could ever happen to you because the world’s an illusion and you’re the only one that’s real.
“How about that? Do I still have to release them? Yes? OK then, how about this one: Joe Biden was Epstein the whole time. How about that? Anything?”
You can watch it for yourself below.
Why are the files being released now?
09:10 , Ariana BaioLast month, nearly every member of Congress voted for the Epstein Files Transparency Act which gave the DOJ 30 days to gather, redact and release the trove of documents related to the government’s investigations into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
While nearly unanimous, it took weeks for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to force a vote on the House floor, due to the government shutdown and initial pushback from President Donald Trump.
Despite Trump asserting on the campaign trail that he would release the Epstein files when in the White House, he and key administration officials reversed their position earlier this year and claimed there was no new or necessary information to be released.
But facing immense public pressure, including from members of his own MAGA base and survivors of Epstein’s abuse, the president gave Republicans the go-ahead to vote in favor of the bill.
Rhian Lubin and Rachel Dobkin have this explainer on how we arrived at this point.
What happens next now that Trump has signed the bill to release the Epstein files?
In pics: Latest photos recovered from Epstein estate
08:55 , Joe SommerladHere are a number of the photographs released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee Thursday, there publication ramping up the pressure on the Trump administration ahead of today’s file release.
Bill Gates, Noam Chomsky and Steve Bannon were some of the well-known public figures who appeared in the shots.
There were also a number of photos of unidentified women with quotes from Lolita scrawled across their bodies.
House Democrats released more photos from Epstein estate
08:45 , Ariana BaioDemocrats on the House Oversight Committee released more photos from Epstein’s estate Thursday, ahead of the release deadline for the Department of Justice’s files today.
Among the photos are pictures of a woman’s body with quotes from Vladimir Nabokov’s notorious novel Lolita, about a professor who pursues a relationship with an underage girl, written on her body.
Alex Woodward has this report.
Dems release more Epstein photos as DOJ faces deadline to publish files
Department of Justice ordered to release Jeffrey Epstein files by end of Friday
08:40 , Joe SommerladThe DOJ is hours away from a deadline, imposed by Congress, to release hundreds of documents related to the government’s investigation into the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
By Friday, December 19, the department must release all unclassified documents, investigation material and internal communications from probes into Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. That includes flight logs and references to named individuals, including potentially government officials.
The highly anticipated release is part of some lawmakers’ efforts for greater transparency about the Epstein investigation. The multimillionaire financier was accused of sexually abusing young women and girls before he died by suicide in jail while awaiting trial on trafficking charges in 2019. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for crimes associated with Epstein’s abuse.
Thousands of documents about Epstein’s crimes have already been released through criminal and civil litigation. House Democrats have also released photos and paperwork with the latest tranche issued Thursday.
Here’s Ariana Baio on what else the public can expect ahead of the release.
What to know about Epstein files release as the deadline approaches
Good morning
08:20 , Ariana BaioWelcome to The Independent’s live blog coverage of the Epstein files release.
The Department of Justice has until the end of the day Friday to release the thousands of documents in its possession related to the government’s investigations into Jeffrey Epstein.
One month ago, Congress imposed a 30-day deadline for the DoJ to release the materials, which include communications, unclassified documents and other investigation material.